Fiji hits out at 'high-handed' Australia in a diplomatic stand-off

SUVA (AFP) - Fiji's attorney-general on Wednesday accused Australia of treating the South Pacific nation in a "high-handed" manner in a stand-off over diplomatic representation.

Australia agreed to restore full diplomatic ties with Fiji's military regime last year after the two countries' top envoys were sent home in tit-for-tat expulsions in 2009.

However, Fiji has refused to endorse Australia's preferred choice for high commissioner - the equivalent of ambassador - career diplomat Margaret Twomey, and declined to issue her a visa so she can take up her post in Suva.

The situation has dragged on since the beginning of the year, prompting Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr to vent his frustration in Canberra this week.